If you’re thinking about booking an all-inclusive beach resort as a cruise excursion, this is the breakdown you want before you hit “reserve.” In this Wander with Wonder episode, Cody walks through what these day passes really include, what surprises people the most, and why this can be one of the best ways to spend a cruise port day.

We’re covering the stuff cruise planners actually care about: what’s included vs. what costs extra, the “fine print” that can sneak up on you (like the 20% gratuity at Paradise Beach in Cozumel), and the pro tips that help you get maximum fun, relaxation, and value for your time and money once you arrive.

Plus, real-world perspective from multiple resort days across different ports—because the same resort can feel totally different depending on weather and conditions. If you want a port day that feels effortless, flexible, and genuinely worth it, this episode will set your expectations and help you book smarter.

We just got home from the Comic-Con cruise and I’m writing this from my (Noelle’s) perspective while the suitcases are still out and my brain is still running on ship time. This trip was one of those rare sailings that somehow had everything—big fan moments, ridiculous surprises, and the kind of “okay… we’re REALLY building something” energy that makes you feel excited for what’s next. Cody had an absolute dream come true meeting Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan, and I still can’t stop laughing at how hard he tried to act calm. Meanwhile, I had my own unreal moment when the casino turned into a $1,180 win (I know… I KNOW), and now I’m pretty sure I’ll be thinking about that jackpot every time I hear a slot machine ding for the rest of my life.

But it wasn’t just fun—it was productive in the best way. We came home with content, notes, ideas, and a clear feeling that our channel is leveling up. We officially launched our weekly live show Cruise Talk: Unfiltered (Wednesdays at 4pm MST), we’re keeping our rhythm with new uploads, and the biggest milestone is happening today: the start of our brand-new vlog series. Icon of the Seas Episode 1 is premiering today, and it’s the whole reason this blog exists—because this series is our next big adventure and we want you here from the very beginning. This first episode is all the travel + embarkation-day chaos, the “we made it!” excitement, and the moment you step onto Icon and realize… this ship is on another level.

Oh—and yes… the tattoo storyline is still unfolding, and the final touch will be complete soon: “my precious.” 😅 If you want the full behind-the-scenes recap from our trip and you want to jump into the Icon journey with us starting right now, go read the blog—then hit Watch on the premiere.

We just got off the Disney Fantasy, and the emotions are hitting hard — we already miss the kids like crazy. At the same time, we’re not going to lie… this pocket of adult time has been amazing. Quiet time, slower mornings, and that rare feeling of actually catching our breath before the next adventure begins.

Because today we’re doing exactly that: boarding a train from Orlando to Tampa to jump onto the Celebrity Constellation — and after a full year of waiting, we’re FINALLY heading to the Comic Con Cruise. We’re ready to party like hobbits, soak up the costumes and theme energy, and yes… we’re sincerely hoping someone on this ship understands the importance of potatoes. 🥔

Before we dive into that chaos, we’re also dropping a brand-new video today at 2PM Mountain Time: “Disney Destiny has such CHARACTER | Day 4 Vlog.” Day 4 turned into a full-on character marathon, including Royal Gathering and some of our favorite meet-and-greet moments with the kids — the kind of Disney magic that makes you wish you could rewind and do it all again.

Today’s a big day for me—I’m launching a brand-new series called Wander with Wonder. It’s basically my way of doing cruise content the way my brain naturally wants to do it: informal, educational, and a little nerdy. I love the magic, but I also want the details—what actually works, what’s overhyped, and whether something is really worth the price.

The first episode is our full Disney Destiny review, premiering today at 4:00 PM Arizona time (MST). I’m breaking down the ship in a practical way—flow, food, entertainment, the overall experience—and I’m also doing something I wish more reviews would do: a transparent, detailed price breakdown with real numbers and real context. Not “it was pricey,” but what it actually cost and how the value stacked up.

If you want the real-time version instead of the structured review, our Disney Destiny vlogs are rolling too—Day 3 is live now, and Day 4 arrives Friday. The review is the organized breakdown. The vlogs are the “you’re on the ship with us” chaos, laughs, and behind-the-scenes reality.

And we’re not slowing down—our next cruises are already coming up: Disney Fantasy (Noelle is convinced it’s going to be her favorite ship, so stay tuned) and then Comic-Con: The Cruise, which is basically my natural habitat. We’re going all-in on costumes, and to get in the spirit we went to see the Lord of the Rings Extended Editions back in theaters this week—packed crowds, people dressed up, and honestly… it was incredible seeing them on a big screen again 25 years later. It completely flipped the switch for me, because I’ve got a mission on this cruise: getting Merry and Pippin’s autographs to complete my Lord of the Rings tattoo.

We’ve been working like crazy, so we’re also just excited to get away for a bit. Even when the trips are “work” for us, they’re still where we reset, rest, and come back better—which is always the goal.

See you at 4 PM Arizona time for the premiere. 🧙🏼‍♂️Cody

Disney Destiny Day 3 was PACKED — but the moment we’ll never forget happens during our spooky encounter with Dr. Facilier (the Shadow Man), the villain from The Princess and the Frog. 😳 It’s one of those Disney Cruise Line moments that’s equal parts creepy, intense, funny, and totally unforgettable.

We kick the day off with the famous Mickey Churro waffles, then head to the Hero Zone where Cody and the kids go all-in on the Incredibles inflatable obstacle course (plus all the games and chaos that come with it). Ella has her own main-character moment at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique — and when the music inside magically lined up with her getting crowned… cue chills and tears.

The fun keeps rolling with an exciting baby race in the Grand Hall, some shopping for Disney Destiny inaugural sailing merch in Mickey’s Mainsail, and lunch at Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue. Cody also takes the Imagineering Tour, learning behind-the-scenes facts about the ship’s art and venues, and we catch a hilarious “same shirt” prank that had us cracking up. Maleficent even makes a dramatic surprise appearance, and we meet Captain Mickey for photos and video.

And then… Ella and Jackson get chosen for Villains Game Night, a competitive and ridiculously funny game show with a full lineup of villains. We cap it all off with the mind-blowing Hercules stage show and dinner in Pride Lands — and end the night with the cutest towel animal surprise. 💜

Phoenix has been showing off lately — the kind of weather that makes you want to live outside, keep the windows open, and pretend summer isn’t lurking right around the corner. It’s been so beautiful that it almost makes us forget what July and August feel like in Arizona… almost. Between the sunshine, the cooler mornings, and those perfect evenings, we’ve been soaking up every minute of the “this is why we live here” season — and it has us feeling extra grateful (and also extra tempted to plan the next trip).

And speaking of trips… this week’s post is a recap of our newest weekly vlog from our Disney Destiny inaugural cruise, and Day 2 was one of those days that felt like an entire vacation packed into a single episode. We’re talking Castaway Cay beach time, an official professional photo session (with all the details people actually want: cost, timing, where you meet, what you get, and whether it’s worth it), plus the kids deciding they needed their own mini photoshoot too — which ended up being one of the cutest parts of the day. We also headed back to the ship early so Cody could film a less-crowded ship tour, because if you’ve ever tried to capture a ship when everyone’s onboard, you know how chaotic that can get.

The night keeps going with some of our favorite Disney moments: we meet Maleficent, we wrap things up with Pirate Night fireworks, and then we end the day with one of those “wait… did that just happen?” surprises — a late-night balcony appearance during the 11PM Grand Hall lights & music show that had everyone looking up at once. If you’re planning a Disney cruise, curious about the Destiny, or you’re specifically searching for real info about the Castaway Cay pro photo session, this vlog is both entertaining and super helpful — and we’ve linked the video, our Destiny playlist, and the Aquamouse ride video we mention so you can keep watching.

And now we’re officially shifting gears again because the kids are heading back to school this week. It’s always a mix of emotions — getting back into routines, early mornings, and schedules after travel life… but also knowing it usually means we can get more consistent with editing and uploads. We’ve got more Disney Destiny content coming, including the rest of our vlogs from this trip and our full, honest Disney Destiny review where we’ll break down what we loved, what surprised us, and who we think this ship is actually best for.

Disney Destiny Day 1: From Port Wi-Fi Panic to Onboard Magic

Embarkation day always sounds simple… until you’re in a cruise terminal with thousands of people and your phone refuses to cooperate. 😅 Our Disney Destiny travel day kicked off with a real-life “spinning wheel of doom” moment—port Wi-Fi wouldn’t load, and cellular service was barely hanging on with everyone trying to connect at the same time. Lesson learned: screenshot anything important before you arrive.

Once we stepped onboard though? Instant reset. We were genuinely shocked by how gorgeous Disney Destiny is—the ship feels incredibly advanced, the artwork is stunning, and the theming is next-level immersive. Every hallway and corner had us stopping to point things out like, “Wait… look at THAT.”

And then came one of the biggest surprises of Day 1: the Marvel show. It was quirky, laugh-out-loud funny, and—honestly—very adult in the best way, packed with clever puns that had us cracking up. If you’re sailing Disney Destiny, consider it a must-see.

From travel-day stress to ship magic, Day 1 delivered the perfect mix of chaos, wow, and comedy—and we’re bringing you along for all of it.

We made it to the end of the year… and honestly, we’re sitting here like—did we really do all that?! Because this year felt like a nonstop highlight reel, and we’re so grateful we got to live it (and share it) as a family.

First, Alaska absolutely stole our hearts. The views were unreal, but the wildlife was the kind of “you’ll never forget this” stuff—bears, whales, and eagles… all in one trip! There were moments where we just stood there in total silence because it was so breathtaking that our brains needed a second to catch up.

Then there was our biggest “okay, we might be a little obsessed” moment: six Disney cruises in one year. SIX. Which is totally cheating to lump them together as one top moment, but also… we’re doing it anyway. 😂 Disney was hands-down our #1 cruise line this year, and we got to experience the best of both worlds—sailing on the two newest ships and the two oldest ships, soaking in the classic Disney charm and the jaw-dropping wow-factor of the newest builds. Every sailing brought something different, and somehow Disney magic still hits like it’s the first time—every time.

And then Japan… a literal dream. Walking through the bamboo forest felt like stepping into another world, and visiting Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea was next-level amazing. The detail, the atmosphere, the way everything feels so immersive—it was Disney in a way we’ve never experienced before, and we’re still not over it.

But here’s the part that matters most: none of this would feel the same without you. To our nearly 2,900 subscribers, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Each one of you has helped push this dream forward—every subscribe, view, comment, and share has been a step toward the life we’re building as a family. We’re so excited for what’s coming next, and we cannot wait to help y’all wander in 2026—with even more tips, more adventures, and more of the real behind-the-scenes moments that make this whole thing so special.

And speaking of what’s next… our Royal Gathering video was posted today! If you love Disney cruises and want the best strategy for meeting multiple princesses efficiently, go watch it—and if you have a friend planning a cruise, sharing it is the biggest help you can give us right now.

We just got back from our first back-to-back cruise—two sailings, one suitcase, and zero time to recover in between. And honestly? It was the smartest kind of chaos. Back-to-back cruising means you roll straight from one cruise into the next without flying home, which can save so much time (and airfare) while giving you more days doing the fun stuff instead of living in airports.

This trip was extra wild because we did it on two of the newest ships out there: Disney Cruise Line’s brand-new Disney Destiny and MSC’s World America. Destiny felt like stepping into a shiny, storybook future—fresh, exciting, and full of that “pinch me” energy. And as for World America… let’s just say we have thoughts. 👀 The kind we’re keeping tucked away until the videos drop—because this one deserves its own moment.

Now we’re home, staring down a mountain of footage, editing as fast as Santa’s sleigh (okay… maybe not that fast 😂). But speaking of Disney Destiny—we just premiered our POV ride of the new AquaMouse, and it was pure family chaos in the best way. The kids rode it an extremely high and slightly embarrassing number of times, and somehow it never got old.

If you want more Destiny content (and we don’t blame you), our room tour is already live—and make sure that notification bell is on, because we’ve got a TON rendering as we speak. And before you go, grab our free digital cruise download through our sign-up link—it’s the easiest way to keep your trip organized and your brain calm before embarkation day. Come wander with us! 🚢

In this post, I’m sharing what I learned after my first year as a full-time travel content creator—through travel delays, budget overages, kid squabbles, 13 countries, 11 cruises, Disney Cruise Line success, and realizing MSC wasn’t the right fit for our family. If you’re building a travel YouTube channel (or thinking about it), this is the funny, honest behind-the-scenes truth.